Assorting-cabinet.



0. B. FORD, E. H.ILOY I J. J. HEETER.

ASSORTING CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. 191s.

Patented May 8, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

JJM? 5.2.4,

,Fm/wid May 8, 191i?.

Patented 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,YE. H. LOY ISI J. J. HEETER.

ASsoRIIAIG CABINET.

FORD

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, Isls.

f @anni srarns Parana cranica OSCAR B. FORD, ERNEST H. LOY, AND JESSE J'. HEETER, 0F LEWISBURG, OHIO.

ASSORTING-CABINET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 1917.

Application led. Illlarch '7, 1916. Serial No. 82,757.

full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in asserting cabinets and more particularly to that class especially adapted for use 1n assorting mail matter.

The invention has for its primary object to provide an improved asserting cabinet whose chief characteristic is its collapsibility. v

Another object is the provision of means for retaining the assorting cabinet in a collapsed condition thereby clamping such articles as letters, papers and the like which may be placed in the pockets of the cabinet and insuring against their loss during transportation of the cabinet.

`With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure 1 represents a front elevationxof the assorting cabinet in extended position for the reception of assorted mail.

Fig. 2 represents a similar view of the Cabinet in collapsed Condition,

Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of the cabinet,

Fig. 4 represents a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 1--4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 represents afragmental front ele- `vation of a modiication of the cabinet.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numerals 5 and 6 indicate the top and bottom, respectively of the cabinet, which are arranged one above the other and between which are arranged a plurality in the county of Preble and State of of relatively spaced horizontal partitions 7 .of a length approximately equal to that of the top and bottom 5- and 6. The ends of the top and bottom, 5 and 6, respectively and the partitions 7 are connected by vertically disposed'collapsible end walls 8 constructed of canvas or other fabric or flexible material. Y

The horizontal partitions 7 are constructed ofwood or other comparatively rigid material and are formed with series of vertically alined slots 9 through which extend a plurality of vertically disposed collapsible partitions 10. The upper terminals of the collapsible partitions 10 are extended under the top 5 and are rigidly connected therewith and the lower ends thereof are rigidly secured to the upper surface of the bottom 6. A flexible rear wall or back 11 is secured at spaced intervals to the top 5 and bottom 6 and the intermediate rigid partitions 7 and provides a" closure for the rear ends of the compartments .12 delined by the several vertical partitions 10, horizontal partitions 7, top 5, bottom 6 and end walls 8.

Flexible straps 13 are rigidly secured intermediate their' ends to the top 5 by fastening plates 1i and the upper terminals thereof are looped as indicated at 15 and secure 4a pair of supporting rings 16 adapted to engage hooks or the like 17 depending from a frame 18 or other suitable support. These straps 13 are provided at their lower terminals with buckles 19 receivingthe upper terminals of straps 20 which latter are rigidly secured at their lower ends by fastening plates 21 to the bottom 6.

To facilitate quick and convenient, assortment of the mail or other articles, the straps 20 are adjusted in the buckles 19 so as to permit the flexible partitions 10 and ends 8 to extend to their full length, thereby separating the rigid partitions 7 a relatively wide distance apart. After properly assorting all of the mail in the several compartments 12, the straps 20 are adjusted in the buckles 19 so as' to collapse the end walls 8 and collapsible partitions 10 thereby drawing the rigid horizontal partitions 7 into relatively close relation and rigidly clamping the articles disposed in the compartments 1Q in position in the cabinet. ln this collapsed condition, the cabinet is removed from the place of assortment and is positioned in a vehicle or other conveyance by which the mail is conveyed to the public.

It is clearly evident that the mail is reliably held in properly assorted condition during transportation` ofv the cabinet and consequently the distribution of the mail by thel postman is materially enhanced.

Referring to the modification of the 1n- `vention illustrated iny Fig. 5, the numeral 5*"- indicates the top of the cabinet which, in contradistinction to the type illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, is constructed of fabric or other flexible material.

by the flexible end walls Sa and a plurality of interposed vertical partitions a also constructed offlexible or collapsible mate- ,I rial.

Intermediate the top and bottom of the cabinet, the end walls 8 are connected The ends of the flexible" top and bottom (not shown) are connected is identical with that described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the invention, further description is deemed unnecessary.

VVhat we claim is An assorting cabinet including a rigid top and bottom, rigid horizontally disposed partitions arranged in spaced relation intermediate said top and bottom, flexible end Walls connecting said partitions and top and bottom, vertically disposed flexible partitions connecting said top and bottom and intersecting said horizontally disposed partitions, straps carried by the opposite ends of said bottom, straps carried by the top, and means for adjustably securing the adjacent ends of the first and second mentioned straps to retain the cabinet in collapsed condition. I

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses..

OSCAR B. FORD.

ERNEST I-LLOY.

JESSE J. HEETER. lVitnesses:

GEO. C. HORN, C. E. LERCH. 

